The Galway senior footballers did what had to be done Stateside on Sunday when they easily defeated the home side by 2-18 to 0-8 to set up a Connacht quarter-final against Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon in two weeks (Sunday May 17 ).
It was Annaghdown’s Damien Comer who deserved the plaudits as he was inspirational in the full-forward line. It was good to have him back in action following his recent injury travails.
The county u-21 captain, who had not been selected to start but was parachuted in after a mystery stomach bug hit the Galway panel, notched 1-4 from the full-forward position and provided a real focal point to the attack.
Three players from the starting XV, goal-keeper Brian Donoghue, as well as forwards Michéal Lundy and Patrick Sweeney, were all deemed unfit to start the game.
New York had the initiative early on with Wexford’s PJ Banville impressive, but Galway settled into the game and kicked on in the second quarter to lead by 0-9 to 0-4 at half time.
That lead was stretched even further early in the second half when Shane Walsh took advantage of a fine run from centre-back Gary O’Donnell to strike a crisp shot to the New York net.
That goal finished the game as a contest and it was just a question of by how much Galway would win after that three-pointer.
Galway had points in the second half from Danny Cummins, Peadar Óg O Griofa, team captain Paul Conroy, Fiontán Ó Curraoin, Sean Denvir, substitute Michael Martin, and a late goal by Damien Comer to run out 16- point winners.
Leitrim, on Sunday week, will provide a stiffer test for Kevin Walsh’s team and the winners of that tie will face Connacht champions Mayo on June 14 in the Connacht semi-final.
Galway: T Healy, J Duane, F Hanley, C Sweeney, L Silke, G O’Donnell, S Denvir, F Ó Curraoin, P Conroy (Cpt ), G Sice, S Walsh, E Hoare, P Og Ó Gríofa, D Comer, D Cummins. Subs used: P Varley for Denvir, T Flynn for Conroy, M Martin for Sice, M Lundy for Hoare, A Varley for Comer.
